WORK EXPERIENCE
Nov. 2024-present
Member of ‘de Mijnraad’ (English: the Mining Council)
Jan. 2024-present
Associate Professor (Ius Promovendi), Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Research line: I have built my research line in the area of understanding the mechanical and transport properties of rocks and geomaterials, in the context of responsible use of the subsurface during the energy transition. As such, my team focusses on topics like energy storage (e.g. hydrogen), waste storage (e.g. CO2, waste water, radioactive waste) and geothermal energy production. Through collaborations with industry and research institutes, I aim to make my research directly applicable to help solving societal challenges.
Utrecht Centre for Sustainable Use of the Subsurface: main contact for the Thermo-mechanical processes in the subsurface research theme
Science4Sustainability community: board member since 2022
MSc Education Committee: teacher member since 2020
Jan. 2017-Dec. 2023
Assistant Professor, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Research interest: Understanding creep mechanisms in deforming rocks under upper crustal conditions, related to (geothermal) energy production, energy storage (e.g. hydrogen) and waste storage (e.g. CO2, waste water, radioactive waste)
Supervision: Supervising PhD, MSc and BSc students during projects related to sand(stone) deformation (NWO DeepNL), creep in salt (ITN CREEP, TKI Gas), and the effect of CO2/brine/rock interactions upon the mechanical (strength) and frictional behaviour of rock formations relevant to CO2 storage (ULTimateCO2, CATO-2, ACT RETURN).
Dec. 2013 - Dec. 2016
Post-doctoral Researcher on reservoir compaction, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Research topic: Understanding creep mechanisms in sands and sandstones under upper crustal conditions
Description: In the field of rock physics, much is known about the deep Earth, but few predictive laws exists regarding the behaviour of sands and sandstones at shallow depths (1-7 km). My research aims to provide a quantitative understanding of the physical and chemical processes causing slow compaction (creep) of these upper crustal rocks. The kinetic laws sought are crucial for predicting surface subsidence and seismicity due to oil/gas and groundwater extraction in populated areas.
This research is part of the Utrecht University Sustainability Program.
Jan. 2010 – Nov. 2014
Shell Global Solutions International, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
Position: Geomechanics Expert, working on Subsurface Containment, Storage and Risk Reduction
Description: Currently working on subsurface containment of fluids, mainly in the context of geological storage of CO2. Focus on the geomechanical aspects of caprock and fault integrity from an (experimental) geomechanics perspective. Provide advice and technical support to current/upcoming storage projects and operating units across the world. Involved with three major (inter)national research programs (CATO-2, CCP-3, QCCSRC), together with (inter)national research institutes and universities, as well as performing research on key CO2-related and rock mechanics topics. Collaborating with international research partners on a Shell-coordinated program aimed at studying natural CO2 fields (Utah, USA; Werkendam, Netherlands) to understand the long-term faith of CO2 in the subsurface.
Sept. 2009-Dec. 2009
Postdoctoral Researcher on rock mechanics and CO2 storage, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Description:
- microcracking processes in sands and sandstone reservoirs
- hydraulic fracturing (‘fracking’) of anhydrite seals
- supervision of M.Sc. student thesis work.
Dec. 2004 - Sept. 2009
PhD in Geology, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
Research topic: Subsurface injection of CO2 and effects on host and seal formations
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. C.J. Spiers.
Description: Maintaining reservoir and caprock integrity is of key importance to long-term geological storage of CO2 and a top priority of the current EU Directive on Carbon Capture and Storage. My PhD project investigated the chemical and mechanical effects of CO2 injection on sandstone reservoirs and anhydrite caprocks.
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AWARDS
European Geosciences Union Outstanding Young Scientist Award 2012
Division Award in Energy, Resources and Environment. Awarded for: "The outstanding contribution to understanding the mechanical and chemical effects of CO2 on rock materials, in the context of geological storage of CO2".
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OUTREACH AND INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
December 2019-July 2022: SaltMech
Co-organiser of the 10th Conference on the Mechanical Behavior of Salt (SaltMech X)
SaltMech X will be held in 2022, at Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
July 2018-July 2019: GeoProc
Co-organiser of the 7th International Conference on coupled THMC processes (GeoProc2019)
The GeoProc2019: Earthquake and Faulting Mechanics Conference will be held from 3-5 July 2019, at Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
April 2014-April 2019: European Geophysical Union
Subsurface Officer of the Energy, Resources and Environment (ERE) Division
August 2014-August 2016: Gordon Research Conferences (GRC)
Co-chair of the Gordon Research Seminar on Rock Deformation (GRS 2016)
2nd Gordon Research Seminar on Rock Deformation to be held on August 20th and 21st 2016, at Proctor Academy, Andover, NH (USA).
The GRS on Rock Deformation is a unique forum for graduate students, post-docs, and other scientists with comparable levels of experience and education to present and exchange new data and cutting edge ideas.
Meeting focus: From the Lab to the Field – Combining Observation, Theory and Modelling to Understand Rock Deformation Processes